- #1
Frank Castle
- 580
- 23
As far as I understand it, the Lorentz factor ##\gamma(\mathbf{v})## is constant when one transforms between two inertial reference frames, since the relative velocity ##\mathbf{v}## between them is constant.
However, I'm slightly confused when one considers four acceleration. What is the physical reasoning for why the derivative of the Lorentz factor is non-zero (i.e. ##\dot{\gamma}(\mathbf{v})\neq 0##) in this case? Is it simply that, if an object is accelerating, then the relative velocity between it and an inertial frame is no longer constant. Accordingly, the Lorentz factor becomes time-dependent.
Is the point that the reference frame of the object that is accelerating is non-inertial, and so relative to an inertial frame the Lorentz factor will become time-dependent (and so ##\dot{\gamma}(\mathbf{v})\neq 0##) since the relative velocity between the objects frame and the inertial frame is constantly changing?! Furthermore, if we subsequently transform between two inertial frames observing the same accelerating object, would it be correct to say that the Lorentz factor relating these two frames is constant?!
However, I'm slightly confused when one considers four acceleration. What is the physical reasoning for why the derivative of the Lorentz factor is non-zero (i.e. ##\dot{\gamma}(\mathbf{v})\neq 0##) in this case? Is it simply that, if an object is accelerating, then the relative velocity between it and an inertial frame is no longer constant. Accordingly, the Lorentz factor becomes time-dependent.
Is the point that the reference frame of the object that is accelerating is non-inertial, and so relative to an inertial frame the Lorentz factor will become time-dependent (and so ##\dot{\gamma}(\mathbf{v})\neq 0##) since the relative velocity between the objects frame and the inertial frame is constantly changing?! Furthermore, if we subsequently transform between two inertial frames observing the same accelerating object, would it be correct to say that the Lorentz factor relating these two frames is constant?!